Blackpool will look to pick up their first win of the season when they entertain Walsall at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

However, the Saddlers, who beat Brighton & Hove Albion to reach the third round of the Capital One Cup, could go top of League One with a victory over the Tangerines.

Blackpool

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Following a record-breaking campaign, which saw the Seasiders finish bottom of the Championship and without a win on the road, Blackpool fans may have hoped for a return to winning ways this term.

Neil McDonald replaced Lee Clark as manager, and several new faces - including ex-Wigan Athletic defender Emmerson Boyce - have come in and yet the Fylde club's form suggests that back-to-back relegations are not out of the question.

They did at least start the season with a combative draw away to Colchester United on the opening day, but that has proved to be the high point of an otherwise miserable start.

Blackpool then conceded three goals in under half-an-hour against League Two Northampton Town in the Capital One Cup and subsequently crashed out of the tournament.

Home defeats against Rochdale and Burton Albion followed before they were beaten 2-0 at Sheffield United, to leave the club with only a solitary point to show from their opening four league fixtures.

McDonald has warned his players to "learn quickly" from their poor results, but their home form is a cause for concern. Since beating Huddersfield Town in March 2014, the Seasiders have won only four home league games.

Recent form: LDDLLL
Recent form (all competitions): DDLLLL

Walsall

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Walsall have given hints that they were capable of putting together a bid for promotion to the Championship.

The Saddlers not only reached the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final before losing to Bristol City, but they were also in contention for a playoff place at one stage.

A run of three points from their final six away games put paid to those hopes, but Walsall have started this season brightly following an opening-day draw at home to Oldham Athletic.

Tom Bradshaw's 95th-minute winner away saw Dean Smith's men knock out Nottingham Forest in the League Cup before victories at Southend United and Rochdale left the Saddlers within reach of the top.

Walsall then underlined their credentials by seeing off promotion rivals Coventry City last weekend and they are now behind leaders Gillingham on goal difference.

The West Midlands outfit come into this match having taken another Championship scalp in Brighton and will look to Bradshaw as well as midfielder Sam Mantom, who has two goals already this season, to find the back of the net.

Recent form: WLDWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWW

Team News

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Keeper Colin Doyle is nearing a return to action after a shoulder injury, but second-choice stopper Kyle Letheren is expected to continue in goal for the hosts.

However, in front of Letheren, McDonald faces a decision about whether to reshuffle his squad or not.

Connor Oliver was drafted to face the Blades and could keep his place, but the Tangerines may look to Jose Cubero and Jack Redshaw, both of whom came off the bench at Bramall Lane, as possible options.

Meanwhile, Walsall's biggest choice will be whether to persevere with Reece Flanagan in attack or whether to recall Romaine Sawyers, who was a substitute in the victory over Brighton in midweek.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Letheren, Boyce, Aldred, Robertson, Ferguson, McAlister, Oliver, Potts, Cameron, Cullen, Osayi-Samuel

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Etheridge, Demetriou, Downing, O'Connor, Henry, Lalkovic, Mantom, Chambers, Morris, Sawyers, Bradshaw

Head To Head

Although the sides haven't played each other since 2006, Walsall have had the edge in the most recent meetings, having won four of the last six encounters.

Their most recent victory over the Tangerines came in December 2005, thanks to James Constable's brace in a 2-0 triumph at Bescot Stadium.

However, Blackpool have only lost twice at Bloomfield Road in almost 25 years against the Saddlers, with the North-West club winning five games in that time.

We say: Blackpool 0-1 Walsall

Blackpool's form is worrying and possibly points to another season of struggle. While it won't always be that way for the Tangerines, it is hard not to see Walsall leaving Bloomfield Road with three points.

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